Classmate inspires others to 'walk for babies'

Date: 3/31/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



AGAWAM -- On March 20, 2005, Heidi Jurasz gave birth to her son Kyle at Baystate Medical Center only 28 weeks into her pregnancy. He weighed one pound, 12.8 ounces.

Seventy-five days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and another four years of nutritious home cooked meals have molded Kyle into a strong, healthy child who's working to help other babies survive the dangerous premature birth.

He and his classmates at the Early Childhood Center (ECC) are raising funds for the March of Dimes -- an organization dedicated to finding a cure for premature births -- and the annual Pioneer Valley March for Babies on April 18.

"Kyle is proud and excited to help babies [benefiting from the March of Dimes]," Heidi said. "It means a lot to me [that the center has created this fundraiser]. It's about giving back for what March of Dimes has done for our family and to show him [Kyle] compassion [for other babies]."

Michele Urbinati, a teacher at the ECC, explained that the fundraiser educates students about finances, mathematics and the importance of charitable giving. She noted that the month-long fundraiser has raised $312 so far.

Robin Fernandes, director of the ECC, added that students are also learning about human development through age-appropriate activities. She explained that students hold a doll that weighs 1 pound, 12.8 ounces, in order to understand how tiny and fragile Kyle was when he was born. They also compare his footprints at ages one, two and three to theirs.

"They saw [through these activities] how they have [donated] the money to help the babies get big and strong," Urbinati said.

Heidi, Kyle and staff members at the ECC will also participate in the annual March for Babies later this month as members of the "Kyle's Kickers" team.

Kristin Introvigne, director of the March of Dimes Western Massachusetts Division, said that 26 additional families have signed up for this year's event and fundraisers continue to be successful, despite the poor economy. She noted that over 1,200 walkers participated in the March for Babies last year, raising approximately $180,000.

The three-mile Pioneer Valley March for Babies will take place on April 18 at Forest Park, 200 Trafton Rd., Springfield. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk will start at 10 a.m.

Donations to Kyle's Kickers can be made online at www.marchforbabies.org/kyledavid.

For further information about the March of Dimes, visit www.marchofdimes.com.